bushido_man96

I think I would wear a pair of ankle socks, that are thinner than normal socks. That is just me, though. I don't wear shoes without socks.

Our style doesn't have it any of the forms, either, but it is a popular kick in tournaments. Our instructor really used the heck out if it when he was competing.

One of the nice things about using these controls in a Law Enforcement setting is that an officer almost always has assistance by other officers. It takes the level of success up a notch or 10.

These are interesting points. I don't usually think of the mindset of breaking; I usually think control, and then break if need be. But, as was mentioned, justification is the big issue. If someone is that much bigger than you are, then you can probably justify it. One thing that wrist locks (sorry for using the term you don't like ) tend to work for are taking people down. Twist the hand into a kotegashi type move, and take the palm of the hand and put it on the ground. If they don't go down, and it breaks, then it is because they resisted and didn't listen to instructions (go to the ground, etc).

This is the case. However, after you feel the body go limp, and he is asleep, you just drop him and deal with the next threat. If you are good enough to keep him restrained, but not unconscious, then you can back away, shielding yourself with the opponent. If they seem like they are going to overtake you, put the guy out and drop him, and then get away.

I try to train low kicks on my own, so that I don't have a problem with them when kicking. Ideally, if you can kick someone who is 6'5" in the head, then you should be able to bring your kicks below the waist without any problems. The key to the footwork it to keep it simple. Nothing fancy; don't let your feet cross when stepping. I have done a ground defense class put on by our LETC, and rolling around with a duty belt on is definitely an experience that you have to adjust for.

So, would the competitor have to qualify for both forms and sparring? Or do they just qualify for sparring, and then have to compete in forms? Or do you end up with two seperate divisions of competitors, where there may be some overlay?

Yes, yes, props to all of the moms out there who helped or worked with all us kids that wanted to get into the Martial Arts.

Nextech wireless.

I carry my IDs with me, and my cellphone. Sometimes my checkbook. However, I have found that if I leave it at home, I don't spend as much money. At work, I carry my radio, my cuffs, my work keys, my OC spray, and usually my taser.

I have read a few eBooks; but they were free to print off...so I printed them first. Does that count?

Politics may have played a role here. I agree with what you are saying. In tournaments that I have been to, I have seen in combined rank divisions where those doing a lower ranked form (say 1st degrees competing with 2nds) get snided a bit, because their form is "easier." So, the higher ranks, even if their form doesn't look as good, get placed higher. Some would call it a level of difficulty thing, but I think it is bogus. If a 1st dan's form looks better, then give it to them.

The problem is, I can't see the WTF gaining a whole lot out of this deal. I think that the ITF stands to gain the most. It would open up more competition for their practitioners, especially at the International level, I think. If they could get forms into the Olympics, then I think that would be kind of cool. I don't know how many spectators would be into watching a forms competition, though.

The "two-fold mind" as described by Silver involved the ideas behind pressing in and flying out. Pressing in is the pressing of the attack; going on the offensive. Flying out is seeing that you are caught on the defensive, and must act accordingly. The two-fold mind is always engaged with both. When flying in, be prepared to fly out, and vise versa.

Those are good thoughts, tallgeese. Way to think outside of the box. Many times, we assume in these scenarios that we are unarmed, and it may not always be the case. It is important to be able to see your options and react quickly.

You gotta love the syndicated Walker episodes! I watch them from time to time as well. The early ones were the best, though.

Using diminishing techniques prior to the joint lock is something we do a lot of in Combat Hapkido. It helps to get the attackers mind on something other than the area that you are trying to lock up.

Great points, guys. Nice links, too.

Our school uses chest protectors and pads, with a 'trembling shock' requirement for points. In class, the contact is pretty well controlled. Targets are body for hands and kicks, kicks to the head, nothing to the back or below the belt. No takedowns or throws.

In regards to this, I don't think everyone has the same capacity to 'stare down' the attackers. Some people have a look to them; some don't.

Welcome to the Forums! Moving from the East Coast to the West Coast, eh? Man, that would be a tough adjustment! Best of luck, and hopefully you find a school that is right for you and your family.

I finished off an article in Classical Fighting Arts magazine just the other day. Normally, when I see an article on the subject of Tai Chi, I don't get all that excited about it. However, the tendencies that I have compell me to read every article in every MA magazine that I get. Reading this article, was pretty eye-opening, and enjoyable. The title page of the article had an excerpt stating that "traditional" Taijiquan is technically 75% or more Wrestling/grappling oriented, and a diligent student can acquire real self-defense skills in a matter of months, as opposed to years. With my mentality toward the Martial Arts in general, this grabbed my attention immediately. It began with a brief history of the origin of the style, from a retired General of the Ming dynasty named Chen Wang Ting, and had its base as a military Martial Art, in which the training had to provide the soldiers with an ability to defend themselves successfully if need be in a matter of months. The article also made many analogies relating movements in Taijiquan to Western Wrestling, which was also nice to see. Hardly mentioned at all in the article was the presence of Chi, thus removing some of the mysticsm that seems to surround the style today, and leaving a more attainable style of fighting. Overall, the article was enjoyable, and it really cleared up views of what Taijiquan should really be.

5-10-08 Push-up log: 3x15, with my gear on at work.

This is becoming a theme, it seems. It is nice to see the local governments bring this up more and more.

I think that there will be a lot of political roadblocks ahead in this journey. In the books that I read about WTF TKD, I never hear anything about Gen. Choi. The two organizations rarely mention each other. The blocking concept is kind of cool. Defensive points would add a very interesting angle to fighting in TKD. Heck, WTF sparrers, especially in tournaments of national level, rarely block at all. They never have their hands up.